Yesterday saw the visit to Skanderbeg Square by Albania’s Minister of Sport, Tourism and Culture, Blendi Gonxhja, as well as the decisive matches in the qualifying draws. From today, the FIP Platinum Albania is ready to light up Tirana, with 24 first-round matches spread across the four courts set up in the iconic square in the Albanian capital.
The schedule begins in the morning with the first three matches of the day session and will continue not before 15:00 with the afternoon session. The leading stars of world padel — with 19 men and 14 women ranked among the top 30 in the FIP Rankings — have already become familiar with the courts in Skanderbeg Square and will make their debut tomorrow, the day of the round of 16 when the top four seeds in each draw enter the competition.
Today’s programme, however, is already packed with action: Italy’s Carolina Orsi and Spain’s Patty Llaguno opened play on centre court against Albanian wild cards Rea Qinami and Brisilda Kuqo, while the first match of the afternoon session will feature two more local players, Martin Muedini and Alensio Serhjani, facing Inigo Jofre and Jamie Yau. Centre court will also host some of the sport’s rising international talents such as David Gala (born in 2006) and Raquel Eugenio (2008), alongside established names including Momo Gonzalez, Edu Alonso, Alex Ruiz and the pair formed by Pol Hernandez and Guille Collado, who will close the programme on Court 2 against Javi Barahona and Gonza Alfonso in one of the most anticipated matches of the day.
Court 3, meanwhile, will feature among others former world number 1 Maxi Sanchez and world champion Tino Libaak, both from Argentina. The FIP Platinum Albania show has officially begun.